| Starts | Nairobi, Kenya, Kenya |
|---|---|
| Ends | Nairobi, Kenya, Kenya |
| Region | Africa |
| Duration | 8 days |
| Tour Operator | Peregrine |
Itinerary
Day 1 - Starting: Nairobi & Finishing: Nairobi
On arrival in Nairobi, you will be met and transferred to your hotel by your Peregrine representative (approximately 45 minutes). There will be a trip briefing at the hotel at approximately 6 pm. Prior to that, the day is yours to spend as you please, and you can arrive at any time. Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, was established at the turn of the 20th century by Europeans as a stores depot during the construction of the East African Railway. Without plan or design, it established itself as the capital of the British protectorate, and today has a population of around three million.
Day 2 - Starting: Aberdare National Park & Finishing: Aberdare National Park
Depart Nairobi and head towards Aberdare National Park (approximately 7 hours). You will arrive in time for lunch at the Aberdare Country Club. This delightful property is situated on a 1,300 acre wildlife sanctuary. After lunch, the afternoon is yours. Enjoy the Country Club's facilities and surroundings, or set off on a nature walk through unspoiled terrain. On this walk you'll have the opportunity to get up close to some zebra or giraffes that have wandered into the beautiful surroundings. The Aberdare Range is just south of the equator and forms part of the eastern rim of the Great Rift Valley, a land brimming with abundant wildlife and spectacular scenery. The area is also famous for being the headquarters of Dedan Kimathi, leader of the 1950s Mau Mau uprising.
Day 3 - Starting: Aberdare National Park & Finishing: Aberdare National Park
Embark on a game drive through the park after breakfast. Afterwards, you will drive back to the country club for lunch. On your travels, keep a close eye out for the elusive golden cat or bongo, both rare sightings in the area. More common to see are leopard, elephant, baboon, colobus monkey and a wide array of birds of prey. Afterwards, bring a day pack for your overnight stay at The Ark, the feature stay on this trip. It's a unique lodge modelled on Noah's Ark, overlooking a floodlit waterhole and salt lick which attracts an impressive array of wildlife. The Ark's several balconies and lounges provide superb vantage points for game viewing. A ground level bunker affords excellent photographic opportunities and takes you closer than you might believe possible to the animals. When night falls, watch with excitement as creatures flock in large numbers to the watering hole. Your resident guide can alert you of must-see animal sightings via a buzzer linked to your room.
Day 4 - Starting: Lake Nakuru National Park & Finishing: Lake Nakuru National Park
After breakfast, enjoy another short game drive en route to Aberdare Country Club to pick up your luggage before continuing along the Great Rift Valley to Nakuru (approximately 6–7 hours). En route you will stop for lunch at Thomson's Falls Lodge, named after the waterfalls discovered in 1883 by Scottish geologist and naturalist Joseph Thomson. In the afternoon there is the opportunity to visit the Menengai Crater, one of the largest craters on earth – a great chance to witness breathtaking views of the Great Rift Valley. Your accommodation for tonight is a traditional lodge, superbly located on the edge of a pond among the trees and birds.
Day 5 - Starting: Masai Mara National Reserve & Finishing: Masai Mara National Reserve
Head southwest to your next destination, the Masai Mara (approximately 6–7 hours). Here lies arguably one of the finest game reserves on the continent. Take in vistas of rolling green plains and riverine woodlands, not to mention many species of game. On today's game drive on the way to your tented camp, you could have the good fortune to observe a black-maned lion, leopard or a cheetah. These predators find an abundant food supply in the massive herds of wildebeest, zebra, Thomson's and Grant's gazelle, all of which roam these verdant grasslands. This is the land of the famed and fated annual migration of wildebeest. End the day watching the sun go down across the Mara while enjoying drinks and canapes.
Day 6 - Starting: Masai Mara National Reserve & Finishing: Masai Mara National Reserve
Rise a little before dawn to begin your morning game drive. As the sun rises, you shouldn't have any trouble spotting wildlife, as this is often one of the most active times of day for animals. After what is hopefully an exciting morning's drive, you will return to camp for lunch and to relax during the heat of the day. Set off again in the afternoon – this time you can expect to return to camp at around sunset. Depending on wildlife movements, you may not return to camp in the middle of the day, making for one full game drive instead (in this case you will stop for a picnic lunch). Accommodation while in 'The Mara' is a comfortable permanent-tented camp. Once you return to the tented camp there is an option to go back out and visit a Maasai Village. These visits can be fascinating to learn about the different culture and way of life of traditional Maasai people. However, please note that these villages exist primarily as businesses. You will be charged an entry fee of USD20-25 and they will try very hard to sell souvenirs to you. An optional balloon ride over the Masai Mara at sunrise is highly recommended, an unforgettable experience for many travellers. Notes: If you have pre-booked a hot air balloon ride, you will be picked up and driven to the launch site, receive a safety briefing from your pilot and help inflate the balloon. You'll glide through the dawn, sometimes at tree height, enjoying amazing photo opportunities. Upon landing you'll be treated to a bush breakfast before returning to your vehicle. This is a popular activity with limited places, so on this trip it's offered as a pre-booked activity which guarantees you a place. If you choose to wait and book this activity locally on the ground you may risk missing out on a place.
Day 7 - Starting: Masai Mara National Reserve & Finishing: Masai Mara National Reserve
After breakfast, return to Nairobi (approximately 6 hours). You journey ends on arrival in the late afternoon. Notes: If you are departing from Nairobi this evening, please do not book a flight to depart prior to 8.30 pm. To reduce your travelling time back to Nairobi, you may wish to consider a flight from Masai Mara to Nairobi at an additional cost. This gives you the chance to catch a late afternoon international flight out of Nairobi. Note that the flight from Masai Mara arrives at Wilson Airport (Nairobi). International flights leave from Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). If staying on in Nairobi, you may require a transfer from Wilson Airport back to our Nairobi hotel. We are able to book the flight, plus the transfer to our Nairobi hotel, at additional cost.
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